Virgil van Dijk has expressed the Liverpool squad’s wish to honour the memory of Diogo Jota as they return to Anfield tonight.
The Reds host Athletic Club in a pair of back-to-back friendlies for what will be their first outing on home turf since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a road traffic accident last month.
In his matchday programme column, Van Dijk discusses the players’ emotional response to the tragedy and how they intend to ‘carry on his legacy’.
“Firstly, I would like to welcome you all back. It’s been a while, but it is always a privilege to play a game at Anfield, and one we never take for granted,” says the captain.
“It has, of course, been a very challenging time. First and foremost for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this. We must never forget that, and we cannot imagine their pain in this moment.
“It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but we are coping in the best way possible as a team, and we are all trying to do the best job we can in order to get through this really difficult time.
“With everything that happened, it has been strange having to now try to carry on with work, with football. We will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honour his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.
“The club is very supportive in this, and that has been very important for all of us. You will have all seen the tributes and the plans that are in place now. I have spoken with a lot of people within the club, and I think the way everything has been handled so far has been the best way.
“I always come back to the fact that we have to look after Diogo’s family, his parents, and that’s the main thing. You think about so many different things, and it’s difficult to process. You can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that they have. That’s why we try to be there as much as we can, and for each other as well.
“That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves.
“Obviously, we know that we will be reminded of him at games and at different grounds that we go to. We have seen that already in pre-season – because it is still so fresh.
“The Preston game was very emotional, of course. We expected that, and I expect that our first games at Anfield will be emotional too.
“But we are all in this together, we all have to go through this together, and we will. We will honour Diogo today, and in the future also. He will always be with us.
“The support from the fans, and from the football world in general, has been incredible. That’s a beautiful thing, you know? At the end of the day, life can be short and it can be incredibly difficult at times. We all have to live it, enjoy it as much as we can and try to keep this world the best place possible. That’s all we can do.
“From the Liverpool community especially, the togetherness that has been shown so far has been incredible. It will obviously still be tough, but we have to be there for each other and for Diogo’s family. I encourage everyone connected to Liverpool to continue to do exactly that.
“So today, let’s honour him, let’s enjoy the games and let’s do it together.
“It’s good to see you all again.”